This is a full Moon in total eclipse-but it’s a penumbral eclipse. The earth’s shadow falls across the Moon, it’s visible, but very subtle. A penumbral eclipse is unusual. There a re never more than nine in a century, and some centuries miss out on them all together. To notice this eclipse, you need to know it’s happening. It’s like a party for the initiated! If the sky permits you to see this delicate veil across the Moon, Friday at 7:33 pm (EST), then you are a member of the initiated. But don’t worry, whether or not you see her physical form in the sky, the energy of this vibrant Leo Moon will still make its mark on your life.

The Sabian Symbol for both Sun and Moon represent the discipline necessary to evolve without destroying natural and vital forces. The Sabian Symbol for the Moon: ‘In a Circus, the bareback rider displays her dangerous skill. Keynote: The audacity and perseverance required to control and play with the powerful energies of the vital realm in human existence. Virtuosity.’ Leo is the sign most associated with Ego and the Sun. This is the Ego in its highest form, because it has been ‘tamed’ and yet it retains the vital life force of the horse, and the Lion.

The Sun at 22° of Aquarius has another image of evolved animal energy: ‘A big Bear sitting down and waving all its paws. Keynote: The self-discipline which results from an intelligent development of individual faculties under proper training. Discipleship.’

This is going to be a full Moon of focused energy, but it requires consciousness to ride with it. The Strength card from the Thoth deck represents this degree in one way, a ride on the power of Leo, requiring mastery of the rider. The Rider Waite Strength card represents it in another way with emphasis on the gentle mastery of power.

Sun and Moon are at this degree, but so is Vesta, she who guards the hearth, and Eris, the goddess of Chaos dwells at 22° as well. Eris is in close company with Uranus who is electric and a master of high tech communication. Much of the drama we see in the political waves of the moment seems symbolic of this pair: Uranus and Eris, and their conjunction in Aries, soon to be joined there by Mars.

Also at 22 degrees of Pisces,°we have Chiron, the wounded centaur who heals all others but himself. Chiron is in a square to Saturn. This guarantees that wounds will have salt rubbed into them, and probably from someone in authority. I wonder who that might be? This square lasts for a year and while it will touch everyone, it hits those with these birthdays most exactly:

December 11 through 19 of any year
March 10 through 17 of any year
June 10 through 18 of any year
September 13 through 20 of any year

A square between Chiron and Saturn guarantees old stories come back to haunt us until we learn new techniques to heal ourselves and turn those healing methods out to others. Until we become light workers, and from our experience of pain, draw balm for others, we circle around and around issues of authority, self acceptance, and leap from formless and permanent immaturity to rigid structures, until we no longer know who we are.

But when the heart opens, and the Ego becomes the vital force of the soul, everything changes, and the Saturn-Chiron square represents the master healer, the leader who leads by example, the authority who serves others by opening her heart. We have a year of this experience for everyone on earth. Why does it seem as if so many lessons must be learned through pain?

Jupiter provides some balance. He is at 23° of Libra, the scales. Because he is in retrograde, he too will soon be in another 22° position. Uranus who is across the chart from him, will also move by direct motion into 22°of Aries, and the ruler of that sign, Mars will join Uranus, opposite Jupiter in 22° Aries. Twenty-two degrees demands greatness from each of us…we are all expected to build in a ‘masterful’ way.

What if this full Moon in Leo represents harnessing the Wind (Aquarius is an Air sign) and Sun (Leo is a Fire sign) to empower our planet without destroying her? This is where Vesta, (also at 22°) might take on the meaning of the hearth and home as source of electricity. Right now my solar panels are covered in newly fallen snow, but most daylight hours, they are working to add non-polluting energy to the electric grid. The potential to use each moment of cosmic drama to joyful advantage is always with us!

Photos: Bruce Lhuillier

Header photo: Sarah Fuhro

Sarah Fuhro sarahfuhro@gmail.com Keeping our Ancient Wisdom Alive

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present. To learn more, please visit www.sarahfuhro.com. Sarah Fuhro